Minister Peter Burke launched the new Business Events 2030 strategy in Frankfurt promoting Ireland for both leisure and business travel.
The Business Events sector generates over €1 billion annually for the Irish economy, with a growth target of +8% per year until 2030.
Minister Burke supported 35 tourism companies from Ireland at the ‘Meet in Ireland’ stand during IMEX Frankfurt, anticipating around 1,900 commercial meetings with global planners.
The aim is to facilitate 7,500 Business Events meetings in 2025, connecting Irish tourism operators with international buyers to enhance year-round tourism.
Enterprises represented included: Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, universities of Ireland, Institute of Public Health, Adare Manor, BEM Ireland, Carton House, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Conrad Dublin, Croke Park, Dromoland Castle, Dublin Convention Bureau, Event Partners Ireland, Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Guinness Storehouse, Hastings Hotels, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Horizons by TPG, InterContinental Dublin, Killarney Convention Centre, Moloney & Kelly DMC, Mount Juliet Estate, O’Callaghan Collection, O’Donoghue Ring Collection, Odyssey International DMC, Ovation Ireland DMC, Precise Events International, Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin, Royal Dublin Society, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, Slieve Donard Hotel, The Convention Centre Dublin, The Europe Hotel & Resort, The K Club, The Shelbourne, The Westbury, TIFCO Hotel Group, Visit Belfast, Wallace Travel Group DMC.
Minister Peter Burke shared: “I was delighted to be in Germany for the international launch of Business Events 2030. IMEX Frankfurt is where the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry come together annually for the largest trade show of its kind in Europe. Business Events 2030 refocuses our policy, placing emphasis on economic targets, on boosting both our tourism SMEs and our economy and highlights Ireland’s eco-friendly credentials when attracting business. This strategy is a product of collaboration between my Department, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, industry leaders from the tourism sector and public bodies including IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, universities of Ireland and the Institute of Public Health. Launching Business Events 2030 here on the international stage, represents a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering economic growth through positioning Ireland at the forefront of global business travel.”
Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, shared: “IMEX Frankfurt is a key event in the industry calendar and an extremely important platform for us to promote the island of Ireland as a premier destination for Business Events. We were delighted to be joined by Minister Peter Burke to perform the international launch of the new Business Events 2030 strategy, which will play a crucial role in positioning Ireland as a leader in the global Business Events sector. Business Events travel is high value and by its nature often occurs midweek and outside of peak season, thereby aligning with ambitions to strengthen year-round tourism. Tourism Ireland’s collaborative efforts with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, as part of the ‘Meet in Ireland’ team, will ensure we attract high value business that brings overseas visitors and long-term benefits for the economy and communities.”
